Building Resilience – Jennifer Woodley
‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ Joshua 1:9 (NRSV)
There are two ways to respond to difficulties. When the going gets tough we can either take flight or stay and fight. Only under pressure can our resilience be developed and strengthened. Some circumstances in life are trying: it may be moving to a new area, meeting new friends or starting a new job. Whatever our situation, it often seems easier to give up rather than stand our ground and learn how to be strong.
Only those who courageously face their giants are the ones who will become resilient. These are the people who refuse to say that they can’t do something, or that something is impossible, or can’t be done, no matter how discouraging or harrowing it appears. However, building resilience takes more than just standing our ground.
God wants His people to be strong and courageous. The strength and courage it takes to fight rather than take flight can be found in Him alone. Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the grave dwells in us. Not a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a strong mind. To become resilient men and women of God we must seek the One who has overcome all temptation and even death itself. Perhaps we are experiencing a time of trial just now. Be brave. If whatever we are going through just now seems tough, let’s determine to stand our ground and seek Christ. In Him alone, we are over-comers.
Jennifer is an Australian freelance writer who enjoys encouraging others on their faith journey through writing and mentoring. Contact | 
